Abstract: A chimeric Shiga toxoid according to the invention contains an enzymatically-inactivated StxA subunit and a native StxB subunit. This hybrid Shiga toxoid induces the production of broadly cross-reactive species of antibodies against Shiga toxin following immunization. The StxA subunit is modified so that it is enzymatically inactive. The invention thus encompasses the Shiga toxoid or fragments thereof and the nucleic acid sequence of the Shiga toxoid or fragments thereof. The invention further encompasses the production of a Shiga toxoid, the production of antibodies using the Shiga toxoid and methods of productions, and an immunogenic composition containing the Shiga toxoid.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses methods for diagnosis of calcium channel related diseases (e.g., RyR1-related diseases) comprising contacting lymphocytes isolated from a subject with a calcium channel agonist (e.g., an RyR1 agonist), measuring the adenosine and inosine produced by the lymphocytes; and comparing the measured levels in the sample to the adenosine and inosine levels in a normal control, whereby an increase in the adenosine and inosine levels relative to the control is indicative of a calcium channel related disease (e.g., RyR1-related disease). The invention also encompasses kits for diagnosis of calcium channel-related diseases.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to variants of antigens comprising folate binding protein epitopes as a composition associated with providing immunity against a tumor in an individual. The variant is effective in inducing cytotoxic T-lymphocytes but preferably not to the extent that they become sensitive to silencing by elimination, such as by apoptosis, or by anergy, as in unresponsiveness.

Abstract: A graft containing a scaffold that includes a matrix in which are positioned mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCs) has the capacity to substantially improve wound healing, including wounds resulting from injury to nerve, bone and vascular tissue. MPCs can be harvested from debrided muscle tissue following orthopaedic trauma. The traumatized muscle-derived progenitor cells are a readily available autologous cell source that can be utilized to effect or improve wound healing in a variety of therapeutic settings and vehicles.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the creation of peptide antigens comprising epitopes with at least a first modification comprising a shortened or lengthened amino acid side chain. By extension or shortening of the side chain with CH3/CH2 groups, for example, made by computer assisted modeling of the tumor antigen (peptide) bound in the MHC-I-groove, immunogenicity can be improved with minimal modification of adjacent tertiary structure, thereby avoiding cross-reactivity. Provided by the invention are methods of creating such antigens, as well as methods for therapeutic or prophylactic treatment of various conditions comprising administration of the antigens.

Abstract: Recombinant vectors comprising the cell entry region of the Shigella ox EIEC invasion plasmid are provided, as well as, Shigella or EIEC strains comprising the recombinant vectors. The vectors provide an improved platform for developing attenuated vaccine strains of Shigella or EiEC and for delivering other foreign proteins of interest. The recombinant vectors and bacterial strains comprising the same may be used in methods of inducing an immune response.

Abstract: The invention features methods to induce and maintain a protective cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response to a peptide of the HER2/neu oncogene, E75, with the effect of inducing and maintaining protective or therapeutic immunity against breast cancer in a patient in clinical remission. The methods comprise administering to the patient an effective amount of a vaccine composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, an adjuvant such as recombinant human GM-CSF, and the E75 peptide at an optimized dose and schedule. The methods further comprise administering an annual or semi-annual booster vaccine dose due to declining E75-specific T cell immunity. The invention also features vaccine compositions for use in the methods.

Abstract: Provided are methods of using polycarbonate filters to isolate and detect cancer cells in a biological fluid, particularly biological fluids, such as urine, that contain very low concentrations of cancer cells. The characterization of the isolated cells for the presence or absence of cancer specific proteins is useful for cancer diagnosis and prognosis.

Abstract: A manually operable pump for the effective removal of fluids to include blood, blood clots, fluid, and air from a body cavity of a subject is provided. The manually operable pump is adapted to be connect to a range of fluid conduits and is equipped with one-way valves that effectively permit flow of fluid through the pump in only one direction. The sensitivity of the one-way valves is such that when properly positioned, fluid can flow through the valves and out of the pump without manual compression of the pump and with the aid of gravity power alone.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies, or antigen-binding fragments thereof, that bind to ERG, and more specifically, to an epitope formed by amino acids 42-66 of ERG3 are disclosed. The monoclonal antibodies can be non-human antibodies (e.g., rabbit or mouse) or humanized monoclonal antibodies having the CDR regions derived from those non-human antibodies. In other embodiments, the monoclonal antibodies are chimeric, having the light and heavy chain variable regions of a non-human ERG antibody. Methods of using the antibodies to detect ERG, or fusion proteins comprising all or part of an ERG polypeptide, such as an ERG polypeptide encoded by a TMPRSS2/ERG, SLC45A3/ERG, or NDRG1/ERG fusion transcript, are also provided, including methods of detecting ERG or ERG fusion events in a clinical setting.

Abstract: The invention provides adenoviral vectors comprising an adenoviral genome comprising heterologous antigen-encoding nucleic acid sequences, such as Plasmodium nucleic acid sequences, operably linked to promoters. The invention further provides a method of inducing an immune response against malaria in a mammal comprising administering the adenoviral vectors to the mammal.

Abstract: The present invention describes the preparation and use of biologically and immunologically active humanized monoclonal antibodies to Shiga toxin, a toxin associated with HC and the potentially life-threatening sequela HUS transmitted by strains of pathogenic bacteria. The present invention describes how these humanized antibodies may be used in the treatment or prevention of Shiga toxin induced diseases. One aspect of the invention is the humanized monoclonal antibody which binds Shiga toxin where the constant regions are IgG1-kappa and the variable regions are murine in origin. Yet another aspect of the invention is expression vectors and host cells transformed with such vectors which express the humanized monoclonal antibodies of the present invention.

Abstract: A joulemeter is capable of non-destructively measuring multiple characteristics of a laser beam. The joulemeter comprises a series of parallel probe beams, which are directed though a transparent media adjacent to an absorbing media that the tested beams pass through. Arrays of optical sensors or a chirp sensor are used to intercept and measure deflections the probe beams. A control unit renders measurements on selected properties of the laser.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies that bind or neutralize Hendra or Nipah virus. The invention provides such antibodies, fragments of such antibodies retaining Hendra or Nipah virus-binding ability, fully human antibodies retaining Hendra or Nipah virus-binding ability, and pharmaceutical compositions including such antibodies. The invention further provides for isolated nucleic acids encoding the antibodies of the invention and host cells transformed therewith. Additionally, the invention provides for prophylactic, therapeutic, and diagnostic methods employing the antibodies and nucleic acids of the invention.

Abstract: A system and method for center point trajectory mapping includes a computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program comprises instructions, which when executed by a computer, cause the computer to acquire a first plurality of images, each image comprising a masked portion. The instructions also cause the computer to locate a center point of the masked portion in each of the plurality of images and to plot a map based on variances in position of the center points from each other. The instructions further cause the computer to display the map on a display.

Abstract: A graft containing a scaffold that includes a matrix in which are positioned mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCs) has the capacity to substantially improve wound healing, including wounds resulting from injury to nerve, bone and vascular tissue. MPCs can be harvested from debrided muscle tissue following orthopaedic trauma. The traumatized muscle-derived progenitor cells are a readily available autologous cell source that can be utilized to effect or improve wound healing in a variety of therapeutic settings and vehicles.

Abstract: A manually operable pump for the effective removal of fluids to include blood, blood clots, fluid, and air from a body cavity of a subject is provided. The manually operable pump is adapted to be connect to a range of fluid conduits and is equipped with one-way valves that effectively permit flow of fluid through the pump in only one direction. The sensitivity of the one-way valves is such that when properly positioned, fluid can flow through the valves and out of the pump without manual compression of the pump and with the aid of gravity power alone.

Abstract: The invention is based on the discovery of the epitope in the Stx1 protein for the 13C4 antibody. The invention features non-full length Stx1 polypeptides that include the epitope for the 13C4 monoclonal antibody epitope. The invention also features methods of producing anti-Stx1 antibodies specific for the 13C4 epitope of the Stx1 protein. Additionally, the invention features methods for treating a subject having, or at risk of developing, a Shiga toxin associated disease (e.g., hemolytic uremia syndrome and diseases associated with E. coli and S. dysenteriae infection) with a polypeptide that includes the 13C4 epitope or with an anti-Stx1 antibody developed using the methods of the invention. Furthermore, the invention features the detection of Stx1 in a sample using the antibodies developed using the methods of the invention.

Abstract: This invention relates to fusion polypeptides comprised of a trimerization domain fused to a non-membrane bound, non-cleaved gp160 polypeptide derived from the R2 HIV-1 Env glycoprotein and to compositions comprising the fusion polypeptides. This invention further relates to oligomers of the fusion polypeptides. This invention also relates to nucleic acids encoding the fusion polypeptides. This invention also relates to diagnostic and therapeutic methods using the fusion polypeptides. Further, this invention relates to the induction of cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies against HIV-1, and to immunogenic compositions for the prevention and treatment of infection by HIV-1.

Abstract: The disclosure describes alterations in ERG gene expression. ERG isoforms and promoter sequence of the ERG gene that are involved in, or associated with, prostate cancer are provided. The disclosure further provides therapeutic compositions and methods of detecting, diagnosing, prognosing, and treating prostate cancer, including biomarkers for detecting the expression of two or more of the following genes: PSA/KLK3, PMEPA1, NKX3.1, ODC1, AMD1, and ERG.